Manish1234 at 18:50, 15 July 2023

2023-07-15T18:50:56Z

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{{Short description|Bridge in Kerala, India}}
{{Use dmy dates}}
{{Use Indian English}}
{{Infobox bridge
| bridge_name = Valiyazheekkal Bridge
| native_name = വലിയഴീക്കൽ പാലം
| native_name_lang = ml
| image =Azheekkal Bridge view from Harbor 2022 June.jpg
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| caption =A view of Valiyazheekkal Bridge from the harbor
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| carries = [[Thiruvananthapuram–Kasaragod Coastal Highway|Coastal Highway]] (''in future'')
| crosses =
| locale = [[Azhikode and Azhikkal|Azhikode]]
| owner =
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| architect =
| designer = P. K. Aravindan
| engineering =
| design =
| material = concrete steel bar
| length = 1200 meter
| width = 13.2 meter
| height = 36 meter
| mainspan =
| spans = 29
| pierswater =
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| life =
| builder = Uralungal Labor Contract Society
| fabricator =
| begin = 2016
| complete =
| cost = ₹146.5 crores
| open =
| inaugurated = 11 March 2022
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}}

The '''Valiyazheekkal Bridge''' or the '''Valiyazheekkal-Azhikode Bridge''' is a bridge connecting between Valiyazheekkal, a coastal area of [[Aratupuzha]] village in [[Alappuzha district|Alappuzha]] district and [[Azhikode and Azhikkal|Azhikal]] in [[Alappad]] village of [[Kollam district|Kollam]] district in [[Kerala]], India.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Valiazheekal bridge inaugurated |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/valiazheekal-bridge-inaugurated/article65211478.ece |access-date=2023-07-14 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> Built across the mouth of the [[Arabian Sea]], it is the longest tension steel bar concrete [[Tied-arch bridge|bowstring bridge]] in Asia. It is also the second longest bowstring bridge in Asia, after [[Chaotianmen Bridge]] in China.<ref>{{Cite web |title=South India’s longest bowstring bridge at Valiyazheekkal, to shorten Alappuzha-Kollam distance - The New Indian Express |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2022/mar/10/south-indias-longest-bowstring-bridge-at-valiyazheekkal-to-shorten-alappuzha-kollam-distance-2428298.amp |access-date=2023-07-14 |website=www.newindianexpress.com}}</ref>

==Overview==
Valiyazheekkal Bridge is the largest concrete arch span bridge in [[South India]] in terms of single span length. Out of a total of 29 spans, the middle three spans over the estuary are 110 meters each. This position was previously held by the 97.552 meter long [[Godavari Bridge|Godavari bridge]]. Although larger bowstring spans have been built in China, they are all made of steel or concrete-filled steel tube (CFST) and span the river. Considering that it is constructed of tension steel bar concrete and is located in the sea (estuary), Valiyazheekal bridge has been touted as first of its kind. The spans are 12 meters high to accommodate large boats. Due to the fact that many boats, including large ones, have to come and go to the fishing harbors in the lake at the same time, the bridge is built at such a height on the pillars at such a distance. The height of the upper portion is 15 meters from the water including the thickness of the slab. The arch are at a height of 21 m. The total height of the bridge is 36 meters. The spans are attached to the tension rods of the ''McAlloy Company'' in England. The bridge has been given International orange and cream color, which is the color of the famous [[Golden Gate Bridge]] in [[San Francisco]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=jithi.raj |title=ഏഷ്യയിലെ നമ്പർ വൺ ടെൻഷൻ സ്റ്റീൽ ബാർ കോൺക്രീറ്റ് ബോ സ്ട്രിങ് പാലം വലിയഴീക്കലിൽ, ഇന്ന് മുതൽ ജനങ്ങളിലേക്ക് |url=https://www.asianetnews.com/kerala-news/asia-s-longest-bowstring-bridge-at-valiyazheekkal-r8iein |access-date=2023-07-14 |website=Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd |language=ml}}</ref>

P. K. Aravindan, a renowned [[IIT Madras]] professor in the field of design, is the designer of the bridge. This bridge was his last design after he died. Its construction was started in 2016 and built by Uralungal Labor Contract Society. It was inaugurated on 11 March 2022. The total estimated cost of the project is 146.5 crores. After the construction of Valiyazheekkal Bridge, the distance between Valiyazheekkal and Aratupuzha was reduced by 28 km. The bridge is also a part of the proposed [[Thiruvananthapuram–Kasaragod Coastal Highway|Coastal Highway]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rs 97 lakh allotted for Valiyazheekal bridge linking Alappuzha, Kollam districts |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2019/12/02/valiyaxheekal-bridge-alappuzha-kollam-97-lakh.html |access-date=2023-07-14 |website=OnManorama}}</ref>

The bridge is parallel to the sea and the Kayamkulam backwater. A walkway of 2.2 meters each is provided on the three spans in the middle of the bridge and on both sides to get a view from the bridge. The total width of the bridge, including the crash barrier and hand rails between the footpath and the road, is 13.2 meters. The rest of the pavement is 1.6 meters. The total length of the bridge including the approach road is 1.6 km.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |title=കടലിലേക്ക് മുഖം നോക്കി വലിയഴീക്കല്‍ പാലം; സഞ്ചാരികൾക്ക് കൗതുകം പകർന്ന് വിളക്കുമാടവും |url=https://www.manoramanews.com/news/kerala/2022/02/08/valiyazheekkal-bridge-ready-to-inagurate-tourism-expectation.html |access-date=2023-07-14 |website=Manoramanews |language=en}}</ref>

With sea on one side, in consideration of the possibility of the port coming in the future, the approval of the port department was obtained following the rule of 100 meters distance between two pillars and 12 meters height from the water level. [[COVID-19 pandemic in India|COVID-19]] and [[Cyclone Ockhi|Ockhi cyclone]] have created challenges, but construction work did not come to a standstill. During the floods of [[2018 Kerala floods|2018]] and [[2019 Kerala floods|2019]], the work was continued by finding temporary systems. The construction was completed after overcoming both sea storms and labor disputes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=സ്വപ്‌നംതെളിഞ്ഞു; ഇരുകര മിന്നും; വലിയഴീക്കൽ പാലം മുഖ്യമന്ത്രി ഇന്ന്‌ നാടിനു സമർപ്പിക്കും |url=https://www.deshabhimani.com/news/kerala/valiyazheekkal-bridge/1006412 |access-date=2023-07-14 |website=Deshabhimani |language=ml}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Buildings and structures in Alappuzha]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Kollam]]
[[Category:Bridges completed in 2022]]
[[Category:2022 establishments in India]]

Valiyazheekkal Bridge - Revision history

Manish1234 at 18:50, 15 July 2023